Therapeutic Multi-Use Pillow System

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates generally to a therapeutic pillow or cushion and the process of creating a cushioned and supportive surface. This article of manufacture and process have been designed to provide comfort, decrease pain, promote healthy alignment of the musculoskeletal system and promote satisfying rest by allowing the head, neck and shoulders of the user to rest in the most natural position. The present invention includes a process of modifying foam-type material to create a cushioned and supportive surface which has a variety of uses including but not limited to a pillow or cushion. The article of manufacture is comprised of a plurality of columnal sections of a foam-type material conjoined together in an organized arrangement by a flexible network system and further supported by a fabric encasement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

Provisional application No. 62/591,777, filed on Nov. 29, 2017

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Head and neck pain costs individuals billions of dollars per year,between over the-counter medication, medical appointments, diagnosticservices, medical procedures, lost earnings and productivity. TheCleveland Clinic estimates that 3% of the population suffers fromchronic daily tension headaches. The Migraine Research Foundationreports that migraine headaches are an extraordinarily prevalentneurological disease, affecting 39 million men, women and children inthe United States. Millions of people are diagnosed with concussionsevery year. The many causes of head and neck pain include injuries,arthritis, inflammation, musculoskeletal system disturbances,fibromyalgia and degenerative disease. Chronic pain is a serious problemand disturbs the sleep of a large portion of our population. Someindividuals who suffer from head or neck pain will benefit from medicalprocedures, medication or surgery, but for many the pain is chronic andthe need exists for more options in providing comfort. The presentinvention is intended to meet such a need by providing a comfortable andsupportive surface that allows the head, neck and shoulders of the userto rest in the most natural position, promoting rest which is essentialfor healing. The present invention's ability to flex, bend, conform andadapt to the user's body alleviates pressure and promotes healthyalignment of the musculoskeletal system.

The current market has very few pillow options available that addressthe problem of head and neck pain. The available options are problematicfor a large number of individuals, in that they are designed to correcta specific ailment or condition. This results in a pre-formed, molded orrigid surface, which can cause discomfort for many users and has thepotential to cause painful pressure points, due to their design or dueto their “one-size-fits-all” approach.

Foam-type material, such as memory foam is a popular choice in pillowmaterial. Poor airflow and heat retention is a common complaintassociated with this material and can be further exacerbated by thetypical pillow surface that is slab shaped or a randomly filledencasement. The present invention's unique design and structure addressthis and provide for increased airflow.

Numerous pillows exist which provide a comfortable surface, but thesepillows lack sufficient structure to support the weight of the head,neck and shoulders which is essential for comfort, healing andsatisfying rest. The present invention has been designed to provide acushioned and supportive surface for the benefit of the user.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses a need that exists for improved andalternative options for therapeutic pillows that are cushioned andsupportive and an improved process for creating a surface that iscushioned and supportive. The present invention provides a therapeuticbenefit by design as it is able to provide comfort, decrease pain andpromote satisfying rest by providing a cushioned and supportive surfacewhich promotes healthy alignment of the musculoskeletal system andallows the head, neck and shoulders of the user to rest in the mostnatural position. The present invention provides a process of modifyinga foam-type material to create a cushioned and supportive surface whichhas a variety of uses, including but not limited to a pillow or cushion.

The present invention produces a cushioned and supportive surfacecomprised of a plurality of columnal sections of foam-type material 15,conjoined together in an organized arrangement by a flexible networksystem 18 and further supported by an encasement 25 of lightweight,durable and breathable fabric. This creates a pillow surface that is notpre-formed, molded or rigid, as is problematic with some therapeuticpillows currently available in the marketplace. Instead, it creates acushioned and supportive surface that allows the head, neck andshoulders of the user to rest in the most natural position due to itsability to flex, bend, conform and adapt to the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment in accordance with thepresent invention 100;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of FIG. 1 illustrating the fabricencasement;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a columnal section offoam type material in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a top view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a length of flexible fabric 14configured to form an embodiment of the flexible network system 18 inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an assembled view of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment in accordance withthe present invention 200;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment in accordancewith the present invention 300;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the presentinvention 400.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of the presentinvention 500.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

It will be apparent to those skilled in the technological area to whichthis invention pertains that features shown and the embodiments providedof the present invention are readily adapted and can be modified withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. It is intent of theinventor that the present invention covers these modifications,including but not limited to, modification in size, shape, function,application and use, which are clearly communicated herein. It is to beunderstood that various features and aspects of the present inventioncan be combined, substituted for one another, added to or removed, andcontinue to form an embodiment that falls within the scope of thepresent invention.

The present invention is foremost developed as therapeutic in that ishas been intentionally designed to be beneficial and health-giving byproviding a surface that provides comfort, support and reduces pain ordiscomfort. The objective of the present invention it to provide comfortand support, in order to promote health and reduce pain, which isimmeasurably valuable to the user who suffers pain or discomfort orspends a large amount of time in a sitting position or lying in a bed.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that by the presentinvention has been intentionally designed to be multi-functional and canaccommodate the need of the individual user who prefers to sleep in thesupine position as well as the user who prefers side sleeping. It canaccommodate an individual in a sitting position or be used as asupportive cushion. The present invention can be used as support for awounded limb or for the torso. It can be utilized as a head support fora user of a specialized chair or bed. While the present invention wouldbe most recognized as being beneficial as a pillow, with modification ofsize, scale, height, thickness, density, shape, compressibility orquality, it can also serve as a suitable and beneficial surface as amattress, travel pillow, seat cushion or medical support pillow. Thecurrent invention is not limited to the afore-mentioned uses and iscapable of being utilized in various practices which require similarcushion, with an emphasis on a surface that is comfortable and cushionedand also support.

The present invention is a pillow system which refers to the organizedcollection of components which have been assembled to work in unison forthe benefit of the user.

The present invention serves most obviously as a pillow, however,included in this present invention is the process of creating acushioned and supportive surface by the modification of foam-typematerial. This unique process produces a new method for utilizingfoam-type material in a way that is not obvious and produces an articleof manufacture that is both cushioned and supportive and fills and unmetneed that exists in the market

The present invention can be utilized as a standard pillow for theaverage user, but it will be of greater value to one who suffersdiscomfort or pain. Modification to the pillow or the process can beaccomplished during manufacture or the pillow can be manufactured insuch a way that the individual user can modify the pillow to theirpersonal preference by access through a zipper or other system ofclosure. [0029] The Therapeutic Multi-Use Pillow System is designed toprovide comfort and support and it is these combined aspects togetherfor which this pillow has been designed. This has been accomplished byproviding a very cushioned and supportive surface and a process tocreate a very cushioned and supportive surface that is able to flex,bend, conform and adapt to the user due to the unique network formed bythe plurality of columnal sections of foam-type material 15, a flexiblenetwork system 18 comprised of a flexible fabric 14 and a fabricencasement 25 which serves as additional element of support. Thiscombination provides a cushioned and comfortable surface with asufficiently supportive structure. This pillow provides a therapeuticbenefit to an individual user who suffers from pain or discomfort andcan be potentially be helpful for the user who experiences pain causedby poor alignment of the musculoskeletal system, headaches, concussions,nerve sensitivity or other head or neck injuries. The unique design ofthe present invention and its ability to provide a cushioned andsupportive surface would be beneficial in relieving pressure onimportant nerves and muscles which can lead to less pain, fewerheadaches, and due to its ability to promote improved alignment, canpotentially allow for more improved function of the circulatory system,allowing for better blood flow and for the respiratory system with moreopen airways. An added benefit of these improvements is the potentialfor reduced snoring.

The current invention provides a surface that is not pre-formed, moldedor rigid but instead is flexible, cushioned and able to conform andadapt to the user. The process of conjoining the plurality of columnalsections of foam-type material 15 produces a multi-faceted surface thatenables increased cushioning and becomes part of a network of support.The present invention has been purposely designed in such a way that amodification in the scale, number or size of the columnal foam-typematerial sections, density, thickness or quality of foam-type materialselected has the ability to meet the unique needs of the user andprovide comfort and support according to their unique needs withoutdeviating from the intent of the inventor. The present invention isintended to be susceptive of supporting the user's head, neck andshoulders in a variety of different presentations according to thepreference of the user.

The multi-faceted surface of the present invention allows the head, neckand shoulders of the user to rest in the most natural position due toits ability to flex, bend, conform and adapt to the user. The weight ofthe user is supported by numerous points of meaningful contact createdby the multi-faceted surface which functions to equally distribute theweight of the user. Each columnal section of foam-type material 15responds and conforms to the user by the pressure exerted or applied tothat specific columnal foam section 15. The flexible network system 18functions to distribute the weight to the adjacent columnal foamsections 15 which results in a more equal distribution of weight.

The material chosen for the columnal sections of foam 15 should beselected from a material group that is characteristically able to absorbshock, flex, bend, conform and adapt to the user, and once pressure isremoved, have the ability to recover its preused shape, size andfirmness. Such material should be thermally responsive and able toconform or adapt to the user in response to their body heat. Thisfoam-type material will recover to its pre-used shape, size and firmnesswhen not in use and when no pressure is exerted against it.

Viscoelastic foam, which is often referred to as memory foam, is one ofmany materials suitable for the formation of the columnal sections offoam-type material 15 of the current invention. It's ability to absorbshock, flex, bend, conform, adapt, and when not in use, has the abilityto recover to its pre-used shape, size and firmness makes it an idealselection in material. There are many choices available in foam-typematerials including polyurethane type foam, vinyl-type foam, gel-infusedfoams as well as foam material blends. Variations also exist inthickness, density, compressibility and quality. The foam utilized inthe present invention can be any variation or combination thereof andhereafter will simply be referred to as foam for clarity and ease ofdescription. The details provided regarding foam are merely an exampleof the desirable characteristics and are not intended to be limiting.

In several embodiments, the drawings of the present invention will showthe columnal sections of foam 15 have been modified by creatinginterruptions 16, 17 along the top and bottom length of the columnalsection of foam 15. These interruptions 16,17 allow for increasedflexibility of each columnal section of foam 15 and can be accomplishedby cuts 16, notches 17, nicks, or by removing small portions of the foammaterial along the length of the section. These interruptions 16,17along the length of the columnal sections of foam 15 further contributeto the multi-faceted surface of the pillow, allow for increasedflexibility of each columnal section of foam 15 and promote increasedairflow between the user and the pillow which decreases unwanted heatretention. Care should be taken that these interruptions 16,17 shouldnot be so extreme or deep as the affect the structural integrity of thecolumnal section of foam 15.

A flexible fabric 14 is used to conjoin the columnal sections of foam 15and should be chosen from a fabric group that is characteristically ableto expand and contract without damage to the fabric. Elastic or asimilar flexible fabric are a desirable choice for conjoining thecolumnal sections of foam 15. The length, width and elasticity of theflexible fabric 14 is subject to the preference of the user and thedesired shape, size and use of the pillow for which it will be utilized.These details are merely an example of the desirable characteristics andare not intended to be limiting.

The flexible fabric 14 is configured in such a way as to form a flexiblenetwork 18 of adjacent rings 24 which will receive the columnal sectionsof foam material 15 and hold them in an organized arrangement. For thesake of description, the configuration of the flexible fabric 14 will bereferred to as the flexible network system 18. The columnal sections offoam 15 are placed through these rings 24 which will hold them in anorganized arrangement adjacent to one another. This flexible networksystem 18 conjoins the columnal sections of foam 15 and at the sametime, allows for flexing and bending of both the flexible network system18 and each of the columnal sections of foam 15. The flexible networksystem 18 and the conjoined columnal sections of foam 15 are able toflex and bend independently, as well as in unison with the adjacentcolumnal sections of foam 15. This flexible system 18 further allows thesections of columnal foam 15 to conform and adapt to the user, providingincreased support and producing a more cushioned surface area.

The rings 24 of the flexible network system 18 should fit snug aroundthe columnal section of foam 15 but should have sufficient allowance forthe flexible network system 18 to flex and to bend while holding thecolumnal sections of foam 15 in an organized arrangement. The method ofsewing the flexible fabric to form the flexible network system 18 is asimple and readily available method and has been used merely as anexample. It is not intended to limit other methods of forming a flexiblenetwork system 18.

A fabric encasement 25 surrounds the pillow system and provides anadditional element of support by preventing the flexible network system18 and plurality of columnal sections of foam 15 from extending beyondthe dimensions of the constructed pillow when not in use. The fabric forthis encasement 25 should be selected from a fabric group that isdurable, lightweight and breathable. 100% cotton can be durable,lightweight and breathable. A breathable fabric is beneficial inpromoting airflow between the user and the pillow which helps to reduceunwanted heat retention from the foam-type material. The fabric chosenmust be durable enough to provide support, but lightweight enough toallow the pillow to flex, bend, conform and adapt to the user, as wellas promote airflow. These are merely examples of desirablecharacteristics and are not intended to be limiting.

The encasement 25 should be sufficiently sized to encase the pillow withsufficient surplus fabric to allow the pillow to flex and bend, while atthe same time prevent the flexible network system 15 and the columnalsections of foam 15 to extend beyond the dimensions of the constructedpillow when not in use. It should not be tight fitting, but instead justloose fitting enough to allow for the pillow system to flex and bend.

The encasement 25 can be completely enclosed during the process ofmanufacture, or an enclosure system such as a zipper can be placed alongone side which would allow for the ability to open and close theencasement 25 as desired. This would be beneficial, due to themodifications that the present invention accommodates and would also bebeneficial for more simplified cleaning purposes. Columnal sections offoam 15 could be added, removed or exchanged as needed, according to thepreference of the user. Columnal sections of foam 15 in varyingthickness, density, compressibility or quality could be exchanged orcombined. A thin zipper is a typical and desirable method of closure,but is merely an example and not meant to be limiting.

FIGS. 1-3 are a perspective view of an embodiment of the presentinvention 100 which is comprised of fourteen columnal sections of foam15, three portions of flexible network system 18 and the fabricencasement 25. (Two portions of the flexible network system 18 arelocated beneath the fabric encasement 25 in FIG. 1) The fabricencasement 25 in FIG. 1 has been limited to the left side of the drawingand has been omitted in FIG. 3 in order to reveal the substructure ofthe pillow. The portion of flexible network system 18 appearing in theforeground of FIG. 3 is located near the front edge of the pillow forillustration purposes only. FIG. 1 illustrates a more proper andbeneficial placement.

For the embodiment presented in FIGS. 1-3, the columnal sections of foam15 chosen will have an average density between 3-8 pounds with 3 pounddensity being a lower quality of foam and 8 pound density being a higherquality of foam. In order to form a more typical and standard sizedpillow, each columnal section of foam 15 would measure approximately 20inches in length, 1.5 inches-1.75 inches in width and have a height of 2inches-3 inches. These dimensions may vary depending on the preferenceof the user and the particular application. In this particularembodiment interruptions 16,17 have been made at regular intervals alongthe length of the columnal section of foam 15.

The flexible fabric 14 utilized to form the flexible network system 18in this particular embodiment is a length of approximately 40-50 inchesof ⅛ inch braided elastic which is a desirable choice for a standardpillow as it is sufficiently strong yet is thin, flexible and is notlikely to interfere with the comfort of the pillow surface as it willblend in with the multifaceted surface of the pillow. It is desirable toform the portions of flexible network system so that they blend in withthe surface are of the pillow. These details are merely examples ofdesirable choices for this embodiment and are not meant to be limiting.

The fabric encasement 25 for this particular embodiment should besufficiently sized to encase the pillow system with sufficient surplusfabric to allow the pillow to flex and bend without extending beyond thedimensions of the constructed pillow when not in use. The exactdimensions of the encasement will vary based on the size of the columnalshaped sections of foam 15 as well as configuration of the flexiblenetwork system 18. A desirable feature would be for a system of closuresuch as a zipper along one side of the encasement which would allow thepillow to be opened and closed as desired. These details are merelyexamples of the desirable characteristics and are not intended to belimiting.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a columnal section offoam 15 which illustrates cuts and/or nicks 16 as well as notches 17 offoam which have been removed along the length of the columnal section offoam 15 in accordance with the present invention. These interruptions16, 17 allow for increased flexion, increased airflow and theycontribute to the multi-faceted surface of the pillow. Theseinterruptions 16, 17 can be spaced at regular intervals as shown inFIGS. 4-6, they can be spaced randomly or they can be omitted entirelyas seen in FIG. 9.

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a top view of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a length of flexible fabric 14 that hasbeen configured to form an embodiment of a portion of the flexiblenetwork system 18 accordance with the present invention and featuresthree separate and adjacent rings 24 which will receive a desired numberof columnal sections of foam 15. The rings 24 function to hold a desirednumber of columnal shaped foam sections 15 in an organized arrangement.These rings 24 can be configured to be lose fitting or tight fittingaccording to the user preference. A loose fitting ring 24 will result ina surface with greater flexion. Rings 24 that are configured in a tightconfiguration will result in a less flexible surface.

FIG. 8 is an assembled view of FIG. 7. In this embodiment of a portionof flexible network system 18, a simple seam has been made across theportion where the ends of the flexible fabric overlap to connect 19. Asimple seam has been made across the connecting points 21 to encloseeach ring 24. Stitching has been completed along the overlappingportions of flexible fabric 22 which will cause the rings to have sharedsides 22. These shared sides 22 will hold the columnal sections of foam15 in a close adjacent arrangement to one another in accordance with thepresent invention. In this particular embodiment, the center ring 24 islarger than the rings on either side and may hold a greater number ofcolumnal sections of foam 15 which is one of many optionalmodifications.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another embodiment 200 in accordancewith the present invention. This embodiment features four columnalsections of foam 15 and four portions of the flexible network system 18.This embodiment does not feature interruptions 16, 17 along the lengthof the columnal sections of foam 15 as is seen in some embodiments. Thefabric encasement 25 has been omitted from this drawing for the purposeof illustrating the entire assembled embodiment 200.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment 300 in accordancewith the present invention with six columnal sections of foam material15 and two portions of the flexible network system 18. The fabricencasement 25 has been omitted from this drawing for the purpose ofillustrating the entire assembled embodiment 300.

FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are embodiments that feature a single layer ofcolumnal sections of foam material 15. The dimensions of theseembodiments will vary according to the dimensions of the columnalsections of foam 15. A single layer of columnal sections of foam 15 doesnot limit the dimensions of the embodiment as an individual may chooseto utilize columnal sections of foam material 15 that vary in height.Modifications of size, scale, height, thickness, density, shape,compressibility or quality will affect the dimension of the assembledembodiment.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment 400 inaccordance with the present invention with twenty one columnal sectionsof foam 15 and four portions of the flexible network system 18. Thefabric encasement 25 has been omitted from this drawing for the purposeof illustrating the entire assembled embodiment 400.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of yet another embodiment 500 inaccordance with the present invention with eight columnal sections offoam 15. This embodiment has been modified to feature a void along thefront length and features irregular dimensions in order to be susceptiveof the user's neck. The fabric encasement 25 has been omitted from thisdrawing for the purpose of illustrating the entire assembled embodiment500.

These embodiments are representative of modifications that the presentinvention can accommodate utilizing the organized arrangement ofcolumnal sections of foam material 15, conjoined with a flexible fabric14 and encased in fabric 24.

The present invention may be further defined as follows: A flexiblepillow system comprising: a plurality of columnal sections of foammaterial 15; a flexible fabric 14 that has been configured into aflexible network system 18 in order to conjoin the plurality of columnalsections of foam material 15; and a fabric encasement 24.

These components assembled together form a top surface, an opposingbottom surface, a front length and opposing rear length and two opposingends.

Each separate columnal section of foam material 15 has a top length andopposing bottom length, two side lengths and two opposing ends.

These columnal sections of foam material 15 are selected from a materialgroup that are now known or hereafter developed and are characterized bytheir ability to absorb shock, flex, bend, conform and adapt to theuser, and when not in use have the ability to recover to its pre-usedshape, size and firmness.

The columnal sections of foam material 15 may or may not haveinterruptions 16,17 along the length of the columnal section of foam 15which may be comprised of any combination of cuts/nicks 16, notches 17or voids where material has been removed, which may be spacedequidistantly or at random.

The plurality of columnal sections of foam material 15 are conjoined bya flexible fabric. This flexible fabric 14 has been configured to createa flexible network system 18 of adjacent rings 24 in order to receivethe plurality of columnal sections of foam material 15 by inserting adesired number of columnal sections of foam material 15 through eachring 24.

The entire flexible pillow system is encased 25 in a fabric whichfunctions as an external supporting structure for the pillow and issufficiently sized in order to encase the pillow with sufficient surplusfabric as to allow the pillow bend and flex while at the same timepreventing the pillow from extending beyond the dimensions of theconstructed pillow when not in use. This fabric encasement may furtherfeature a system of closure which allows for the encasement to bereadily opened and closed.

A method for making a cushioned and supportive surface comprising thesteps of: Selecting a foam-type material from a material group that ischaracterized by it's ability to absorb shock, flex, bend, adapt andconform in response to body heat and pressure, and when not in use ithas the ability to recover to its pre-used shape, size and firmness;

Cutting the foam material into columnal shaped sections 15 with a toplength and opposing bottom length; two side lengths; and two opposingends;Creating interruptions 16, 17 as desired along the length of thecolumnal sections of foam comprised of cuts/nicks 16, notches 17 orremoving portions of the foam like material;Configuring a length of flexible fabric 14 to create a flexible networksystem 18 comprised of adjacent rings 24 that will receive a pluralityof columnal sections of foam material 15 and hold them in an organizedarrangement adjacent to one another;Conjoining the plurality of columnal shaped sections of foam material 15by placing a desired number of columnal shaped sections of foam material15 through the rings 24 of the flexible network system 18;Creating an encasement 25 from a lightweight, durable and breathablefabric in order to encase the conjoined columnal sections of foammaterial 15;Creating a closure feature along the side of the encasement 25 asdesired which will provide the ability to readily open and close theencasement 25;Placing the plurality of conjoined columnal sections of foam material 15into an encasement 25 that has been made with sufficient surplus fabricas to allow the pillow to bend and flex while at the same timepreventing the pillow from extending beyond the dimensions of theconstructed pillow when not in use.The present invention has been designed to accommodate variousmodifications without departing from the scope the invention or theintent of the inventor.

I claim:
 1. A flexible pillow system comprising: a plurality of columnalsections of foam-type material in an organized arrangement; a flexiblefabric which conjoins the columnal sections of foam-type material; and afabric encasement.
 2. The flexible pillow system of claim
 1. wherein theflexible pillow system is comprised of a plurality of columnal sectionsof foam-type material in an organized arrangement, conjoined by aflexible fabric which has been configured to form a flexible networksystem and encased in fabric; together these form a top surface, anopposing bottom surface, a front length and opposing rear length and twoopposing ends.
 3. The flexible pillow system of claim
 1. wherein eachseparate columnal section of foam-type material has a top length andopposing bottom length, two side lengths and two opposing ends.
 4. Theflexible pillow system of claim 1, wherein the columnal sections offoam-type material are selected from a material group that are now knownor hereafter developed and are characterized by their ability to absorbshock, flex, bend, adapt, conform in response to body heat and pressureand when not in use have the ability to recover to its pre-used shape,size and firmness.
 5. The flexible pillow system of claim 1, wherein thecolumnal sections of foam-type material have interruptions along thelength of the columnal section of foam-type material which may becomprised of cuts, nicks, notches or voids where material has beenremoved, which may be spaced equidistantly or at random.
 6. The flexiblepillow system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of columnal sections offoam-type material are conjoined by a flexible fabric which holds themin an organized arrangement.
 7. The flexible pillow system of claim 6,wherein the plurality of columnal sections of foam-type material areconjoined by a flexible fabric which has been configured to create aflexible network system of adjacent rings in order to receive theplurality of columnal sections of foam-type material by inserting adesired number of columnal sections of foam-type material through therings.
 8. The flexible pillow system of claim 1, wherein the flexiblepillow system is encased in a fabric which functions as an externalsupporting structure for the pillow and is sufficiently sized in orderto encase the pillow with sufficient surplus fabric as to allow thepillow to bend and flex while at the same time preventing the pillowfrom extending beyond the dimensions of the constructed pillow when notin use.
 9. The flexible pillow system of claim 8, further comprisingthat the fabric encasement has a system of closure which allows for theencasement to be readily opened and closed.
 10. A process for making acushioned and supportive surface comprising the steps of; Selecting afoam-type material from a material group that is characterized by it'sability to absorb shock, flex, bend, adapt and conform in response tobody heat and pressure and when not in use it has the ability to recoverto its pre-used shape, size and firmness; Cutting the foam-type materialinto columnal shaped sections with a top length and opposing bottomlength, two side lengths, and two opposing end; Configuring a length offlexible fabric to create a flexible network system comprised ofadjacent rings that will receive the plurality of columnal sections offoam-type material and hold them in an organized arrangement adjacent toone another; Conjoining the plurality of columnal shaped sections offoam-type material by placing the desired number of columnal shapedsections of foam-type material through the adjacent rings of theflexible network system; Placing the plurality of conjoined columnalsections of foam-type material into an encasement that has been madewith sufficient surplus fabric as to allow the pillow bend and flexwhile at the same time preventing the pillow from extending beyond thedimensions of the constructed pillow when not in use;
 11. The method ofclaim 10, further creating interruptions along the length of thecolumnal sections of foam-type material comprised of cuts, nicks,notches or removing portions of the foam-type material which may bespaced equidistantly or at random;
 12. The method of claim 10, furtherselecting a fabric for the encasement from a fabric group that ischaracteristically lightweight, durable and breathable;
 13. The methodof claim 10, wherein adding a system of closure to the encasementproviding the ability to readily open and close the encasement.